WO2025003986A1

WO2025003986A1 - A cutting device for undressing a pallet

Info

Publication number: WO2025003986A1
Application number: PCT/IB2024/056329
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Rocchetta
Original assignee: EMS Group SpA
Current assignee: EMS Group SpA
Priority date: 2023-06-30
Filing date: 2024-06-28
Publication date: 2025-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-30
Also published as: IT202300013731A1

Abstract

Cutting device (100) for cutting the protective film (550) for undressing a pallet (500) of products (510) preferably arranged in layers on a base (520) or plate, said pallet (500) being coated with a protective film (550) for retaining and protecting said products (510) themselves, configured to cover the upper surface (501) and the side surface (502) of the pallet (500) at least up to the base (520), said cutting device (100) comprising a blade (111) and a protection element (130) configured to be interposed between the product (510) and the film (550) in order to retain said film (550) in proximity to the blade (111), said protection element (130) comprises a first surface (131) operatively facing the film (550) below which at least a portion of the blade (111) protrudes, characterised in that said protection element (130) further comprises a first end (133) preceding the blade (111) in the cutting direction, on which a rotatable element (134) arranged transversally to the cutting direction is installed.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: A CUTTING DEVICE FOR UNDRESSING A PALLET

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention falls within the field of undressing a palletised load. In particular, it relates to a device for ensuring the picking of the protective film of a palletised load.

STATE OF THE ART

The packaging or bottling plants, for example, are fed with palletised loads consisting of various layers of products or containers surrounded by a heat-shrinkable or elastic envelope that covers said products.

Palletised load or pallet mean a plurality of products preferably arranged in layers on a base also known as a pallet, generally made of wood or plastic. Between each layer there may be an insert called pad made of plastic or cardboard that helps the stability of the pallet. It is also possible for said pad to be positioned between the pallet and the load.

Prior to depalletising the product in the treatment lines, such as for example the filling lines if it is a container like bottles or jars, said pallet is stored and moved between the product production plants and the subsequent treatment plants. To guarantee the integrity and stability thereof during the various steps mentioned above, the pallet is generally wrapped with a protective film that defines an envelope in which the products are enclosed. Said film is generally of the plastic type.

In the case of containers for the food industry, the film completely wraps the products and the pallet on which the load is supported to ensure that insects and dirt cannot get in as well as to give stability to the palletised load.

Said envelope can be applied by wrapping the perimeter surface of the pallet with a stretch film or by fitting a heat- shrinkable type film on the pallet that adheres to the perimeter surface of the pallet by heat-shrinking. Alternatively, the pallet can be wrapped in a stretch-hood type film that is fitted onto the pallet and adapts thanks to its elasticity characteristics, without the need to adhere by heat-shrinking.

Even a perimeter portion of the base of the pallet can be wrapped in the protective film.

The operation of withdrawing the protective film from the pallet, which in jargon is called pallet undressing, is very often performed manually. In fact, the variables linked to the stability of the product and the non-uniform adhesion of the protective film, the possibility of damaging the product and/or pads has always made undressing by automatic machines unreliable.

At the same time, however, manual undressing performed by one or more operators is an operation which, in addition to entailing risks in terms of the integrity of the palletised load, also entails risks in terms of safety of the operator.

In fact, during undressing, the operator may find him-/herself in a dangerous situation due to possible products falling off that are dragged by the withdrawn film.

In order to overcome this drawback, some automatic means and methods for undressing pallets are known in the state of the art.

Said means and methods present a series of problems in particular when the pallet load comprises many unstable and fragile products such as for example pallets of glass bottles.

The main problem of the known machines is that, especially in the case of undressing with heat-shrinkable type films, said plastic film has creases or folds that change from area to area the behaviour of the film during cutting and tearing and the relative behaviour of the load during the unwinding process.

As a result, the load may tilt, get caught in the film, and partial dropping of the load bottles may also occur.

A further problem of known methods and machines is also given by the difficulties in performing the cut and by the type of tools for cutting the film, which can come into contact with the containers; this aspect is particularly relevant in light of consumer food safety aspects, especially for glass containers (such as bottles or jars), due to the possible loss of resistance and integrity.

Contact of the cutting tools with the containers can cause damage to the outer walls, mouths or necks of the containers.

Document EP3214004B1, to overcome the aforementioned problem, provides for carrying out the cut of the film by inserting the blade between each row of bottles, but this is not always possible because it depends on the correct positioning of the bottles on the pallet which is not always guaranteed due to palletising errors or due to displacements after moving the pallet.

EXPOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem underpinning the present invention is that of making available a method and relative apparatus for undressing a pallet of products structurally and functionally designed to overcome one or more of the limits set forth above with reference to the known prior art.

Within the scope of the aforementioned problem, a main object of the invention is to develop a method and relative apparatus for undressing a pallet of products that allows to minimize the risk of fall of and damage to the palletised product and consequent system failures or stoppages.

A further object of the invention is also to make available to the art a method and relative device for undressing a pallet of products as part of a reliable solution that can adapt to various conformations of films and pallets.

Furthermore, it is also an object of the invention to make available to the art a method and relative device that is capable of monitoring the actual execution of the cut.

In particular, the invention provides a cutting device for cutting the protective film for undressing a pallet of products preferably arranged in layers on a plate base. In particular, said pallet is coated with a protective film for retaining and protecting the products themselves, configured to cover the upper surface and the side surface of the pallet at least up to the base.

Preferably said cutting device 100 comprises a blade and a protection element.

In particular, said protection element is configured to be interposed between the product and the film.

Advantageously said protection element is configured to retain said film in proximity to the blade.

According to a preferred form, said protection element comprises a first surface operatively facing the film below which at least a portion of the blade protrudes.

Preferably, said protection element further comprises a first end preceding the blade in the cutting direction, on which a rotatable element is installed.

Preferably said rotatable element is arranged transversely to the cutting direction.

In particular, the protection element comprises a second surface operatively facing the product and opposing the first surface adapted to define a thickness less than or equal to the diameter of the rotatable element.

Preferably the rotatable element comprises at least one roller free to rotate about its axis of symmetry.

Preferably the rotatable element comprises an electrical heating element for heating said rotatable element.

According to a preferred embodiment the blade does not protrude from the second surface.

Advantageously the protection element comprises a planar portion 130a preferably comprising an opening preferably passing through the thickness of the protection element

Preferably, the blade, in particular at least one second portion, is inserted into said opening.

Advantageously the cutting device comprises adaptation elements.

Said adaptation elements are preferably configured to support the protection element.

Said adaptation elements are preferably configured to adapt the position of the protection element to the conformation of the pallet.

Said blade is preferably of circular type and set in rotation by means of actuating means.

Preferably, the cutting device comprises activation means configured to move the protection element relative to the blade between at least one working position in which the protection element retains the film between the first surface and the blade in particular during cutting and an out-of-space position in which the protection element does not engage with the film.

Advantageously, the cutting device comprises a control element which detects the presence of the film resting on the first surface of the protection element.

Preferably, the control element is placed in an advanced position with respect to the blade, according to the cutting direction.

Preferably the cutting device further comprises at least one release device.

In particular, said release device comprises a suction head configured to distance a portion of film from the pallet and preferably assist in the insertion of the protection element.

Preferably, the cutting device comprises pick-up means which comprise at least one grasping head configured to remove a portion of film from the pallet after cutting.

These and other objects are reached by the characteristics of the invention as set forth in the independent claims. The dependent claims outline preferred and/or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.

Said purposes and advantages are all achieved by the method and relative apparatus for undressing a pallet of products, which is the subject matter of the present invention, and which is characterised by what is provided for in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This and other features will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred illustrated embodiment, by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 : illustrates in an axonometric view a pallet with visible and hidden dashed cuts;

Figure 2: illustrates in an axonometric view a pallet with cuts and related subdivision into two segments;

Figure 3: Illustrates an axonometric view of an apparatus for undressing pallets according to the invention with a cutting device installed on an anthropomorphic robot;

Figure 4: illustrates an axonometric view of the cutting device;

Figure 5a, 5b: illustrates in side view two operating positions of the cutting device;

Figure 6: illustrates an axonometric view of the cutting device with release device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With particular reference to Figure 1, an apparatus 1 for undressing a pallet 500 of products 510, preferably arranged in layers on a base or plate 520, is depicted.

Said pallet 500 is coated with a protective film 550 for retaining and protecting the products 510 themselves. Said protective film 550 is configured to cover the upper surface 501 and the side surface 502 of the pallet 500 preferably at least up to the base 520, so as to ensure greater sealing for stability and for insulation from the outside.

The pallet 500 can have various approximate dimensions, generally ranging from 600x800 mm up to 1120x1420 mm and heights generally up to 3000 mm. The apparatus 1, described below, is capable of processing the pallets 500 of various dimensions.

The protective film 550 therefore comprises an upper portion

551 at the upper surface 501 of the pallet 500 and a side portion

552 at the side surface 502 of the pallet 500. As depicted in Figure 1 and 2, the side portion 552 extends on all four sides 502a of the side surface 502 of the pallet 500. Likewise in Figure 2, the four edges 502b of the side surface 502 are identified.

In particular, said apparatus 1 comprises a cutting device 100 for cutting the protective film 550 on the pallet 500 and preferably pick-up means 120 for picking the protective film 550 from the pallet 500, once it has been cut.

Said cutting device 100 cuts the film 550 defining and separating portions of said film 550.

According to an aspect of the invention said cutting device 100 is configured to separate said protective film 550 into a plurality of segments 550s.

The term "segment" means a portion of protective film 550 separated from the remaining film 550 by cutting. More precisely according to a preferred embodiment, each segment 550s comprises an upper flap 551s of the upper portion 551 of film 550 and a lower flap 552s of the side portion 552 of film 550.

Advantageously, each segment 550s is carried away from the pallet 500 by the pick-up means 120. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, said apparatus 1 is configured to perform a first cut 561t on the side portion 552 in proximity to the base 520.

In particular, said first cut 561t extends in a substantially horizontal direction along each side 502a of the side surface 502.

By the term in proximity to the base 520, it is meant that said base cut 561t can be made in an area between the first layer and the base 520, or in a lower area of the pallet 500 just above the base 520. For example, in this second case the first cut 561t can be made just above the first layer or the first layers if the products 510, which make up the pallet 500, have a reduced height.

Thanks to the position of this first cut 561t, the film 550 is separated above the area in which it is generally more difficult to cut said film 550 as it presents irregularities and overlaps due to heat-shrinking. In fact, a plurality of heat-shrunk overlapped films can generally be found at the base 520, which generates seams that are difficult to cut.

In particular, if several sections are envisaged, they are made in continuity with each other, that is, without cutting interruption.

Further preferably said apparatus 1 is configured to perform at least a second cut 562t on the side portion 552.

In particular, said second cut 562t extends in a substantially vertical direction along at least one side 502a.

A preferred embodiment provides that an upper cut 563t extending over the upper surface 501 is performed. A preferred embodiment may provide that the upper cut 563t is made in continuity respectively with the side cut 562t i.e. without cutting interruption.

Therefore, preferably the cutting device 100 starts making the side cut 562t and continues to perform the upper cut 563t passing from the side 502a to the upper surface 501 without interrupting the execution of the cut.

Thanks to this solution, there is more certainty about the complete separation of the two segments 550s.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, once all the cuts necessary to separate at least one segment 550s have been made, the pick-up means 120 can operate, in order to distance said segment 550s of protective 550 away from the pallet 500.

It should be noted that the described sequence of the cuts is not binding.

A preferred form depicted in Figure 3, provides that said cutting device 100 is installed on an apparatus 1 comprising an anthropomorphic robot 200.

A 2- or 3-axis Cartesian robot also falls within the definition of an anthropomorphic robot.

According to one embodiment, the pick-up means 120 for distancing the segments 550s from the pallet 500 can be integrated into the cutting device 100.

As regards the cutting device 100, as depicted in Figure 4, 5a, 5b, 6, it preferably comprises a blade 111. An advantageous aspect provides that said blade 111 is of the circular type, preferably rotatable.

The cutting device 100 preferably comprises actuating means 112 associated with said blade 111.

Said blade 111 is rotated by means of actuating means 112.

Alternatively, a blade 111 having a different shape and/or not rotatable, but fixed, can also be used to implement the invention.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the cutting device 100 comprises a protection element 130, which is configured to be interposed between the product 510 and the film 550 in order to retain said film 550 in proximity to the blade 111.

In particular, the purpose of the protection element 130 is to protect the product 510 from the possibility of being damaged by contact with the blade 111, during the cutting steps.

Said protection element 130 also has the purpose of ensuring the contact of the film 550 with the blade 111.

By positioning said protection element 130 between the product 510 and the film 550, said film 550 is kept in contact with the blade 111 for cutting.

Said protection element 130 is preferably placed in proximity to the blade 111.

Said protection element 130 preferably comprises a first surface 131 operatively facing the film 550.

The protection element 130 further comprises a second surface 132 operatively facing the product 51 and opposing the first surface 131.

The distance between said first surface 131 and second surface 132 defines a thickness S of the protection element 130.

In particular, as depicted in Figure 4, 5a, 5b, 6, the protection element 130 comprises at least one planar portion 130a, preferably with a constant thickness S less than the other two dimensions.

In Figure 4, 5a, 5b, 6, a preferred embodiment is depicted in which the blade 111 is circular and comprises a first portion 111' extending mainly above the first surface 131.

The remaining second portion 111" of blade 111 extends below the first surface 131.

Preferably, in the case of the blade 111 of the circular type, the protection element 130 embraces the second portion 111" of the blade 111.

This allows to ensure the cutting of the film 550 by retaining the film 550 in contact with the blade 111.

Preferably the blade 111 and in particular the second portion 111" does not extend below the second surface 132, to prevent contact of the blade 111 with the product 510.

The second surface 132 may for example be tangent to the diameter of the blade 111 of the circular type.

Preferably said protection element 130 is configured so that the blade 111 is embedded in the thickness S, preferably without protruding therefrom, so that it comes into contact with the film 550, but not with the product 510. In Figure 4 the protection element 130 comprises an opening 1304 preferably passing through the thickness S of the protection element 130 into which the blade 111 and in particular the second portion 111" is inserted.

According to an aspect of the invention said protection element 130 further comprises a first end 133 preceding the blade 111 in the cutting direction.

A rotatable element 134 is preferably installed on said first end 133.

In particular, said rotatable element 134 is arranged transversely to the cutting direction, i.e. to the plane in which the blade 111 develops.

Said rotatable element 134 is intended to contact the product 510 and/or the film 550 by means of a contact that works with rolling friction.

This greatly reduces the possibility of the first end 133 of the protection element 130 to get jammed, when it comes into contact with the product 510.

This avoids damaging the product 510.

It also greatly reduces the possibility of the first end 133 of the protection element 130 to get jammed, when it comes into contact with the film 550.

This avoids breaking the film 550 and losing control of the cut made.

As described above, a preferred embodiment may provide that the upper cut 563t is made in continuity respectively with the side cut 562t i.e. without cutting interruption.

The presence of said rotatable element 134 allows the film 550 to slide and facilitates the passage from the side cut 562t to the upper cut 563t in continuity without interrupting the cut and without the protection element 130 releasing the film 550.

Without said rotatable element 134, breakage of the film 550, or jamming against the product 510, is generally caused precisely during said passage.

To further ensure this effect, said rotatable element 134 has a diameter greater than or equal to the thickness S.

In Figure 4, 5a, 5b, 6, a simple and functional solution is depicted in which the rotatable element 134 comprises at least one roller 134a free to rotate about its axis of symmetry.

Thanks to this solution the blade 111 is able to cut continuously during all the cutting steps, without losing the film 550 and furthermore the blade 111 does not come into contact with the product 510 avoiding any risk of damage.

According to an aspect of the invention said rotatable element 134 can also be installed at a second end 133' of the protection element 130 opposite the first end 133.

This allows to have all the advantages described above even when the cutting device 100 performs reversing trajectories and/or to resume an interrupted cut.

This avoids rotating the cutting device 100 when it is necessary to translate in the opposite direction to the cutting one.

To further improve the aforementioned aspects, the rotatable member 134 may comprise an electrical heating element.

The purpose of this electrical heating element is to heat said rotatable element 134.

In this case, the rotatable element 134 is made of a conductive material.

Thanks to this solution, it is possible to soften the film 550 by reducing its tension when it is heated by contact with the rotatable element 134.

This is particularly advantageous in the passage at the edges or at points where there may be seams due to overlapped portions of film 550.

Thanks to the heating of the rotatable element 134, the passage between the side cut 562t and the upper cut 563t, that is, between the end of the vertical cut on the side portion 552e and the beginning of the horizontal cut on the upper portion 551, takes place more effectively since heating the film 550 reduces the resistance it opposes and prevents its breakage especially in this passage step.

As depicted in Figure 4, 5a, 5b, 6, said cutting device 100 further preferably comprises adaptation elements 114 which are adapted to support the protection element 130 and configured to allow the protection element 130 to adapt its position at any irregularities of the pallet 500 and/or of the protective film 550. As known to a person skilled in the art, said adaptation elements 114 may for example be of the tilting type, that is, hinged on a rotation fulcrum.

The capability of adaptation can be given by gravity or by the presence of elastic or pneumatic or hydraulic elements.

In Figure 4, 5a, 5b, 6, a solution is depicted in which said adaptation elements 114 comprise a pneumatic adaptation cylinder 114a, mechanically connected to the protection element 130, which works at a pressure suitable to guarantee the maintenance of the cutting position without excessively pressing on the product 510.

Preferably said pneumatic adaptation cylinder 114a comprises a proportional valve that allows to manage its force and allows the adaptation of the protection element 130 to the product 510 and/or pallet 500 and/or protective film 550 in the various steps of the cutting cycle.

In this way the protection element 130 adapts but the blade 111 does not come into contact with the product 510.

Further preferably, the cutting device 100 comprises activation means 135 which, as depicted in Figure 4, 5a, 5b, 6, are configured to move the protection element 130 with respect to the blade 111.

Preferably said activation means 135 position said protection element 130 between the product 510 and the film 550 during cutting.

Preferably the activation means 135 are configured to move the protection element 130 between at least a working position A and an out-of-space position B.

In particular in the working position A, the protection element 130 retains the film 550 between the first surface 131 and the blade 111 in particular during cutting.

In particular in the working position A, the protection element 130 is placed between the product 510 and the film 550.

When the protection element 130 performs the upper cut 563t the working position A corresponds to the protection element 130 placed below the blade 111.

When the protection element 130 performs the base cut 561t and/or side cut 562t the working position A corresponds to the protection element 130 placed next to the blade 111.

In the out-of-space position B the protection element 130 does not engage with the film 550 and leaves the blade 111 free to come into contact with the product 510.

In the out-of-space position B, the protection element 130 is not placed between the product 510 and the film 550.

Further preferably, the activation means 135 are configured to rotate said protection element 130 around the blade 111 of the circular type, preferably about the same axis of rotation of the blade 111.

Said activation means 135 can comprise actuators of the electric, pneumatic or hydraulic type.

Figure 5a, 5b, 6 depicts a solution that provides a pneumatic activation cylinder 135a.

Figure 5a, 5b, 6 depicts an advantageous embodiment in which the activation means 135 also have the function of damping the contact with the pallet 500.

Therefore, the activation means 135 also perform the function of the adaptation elements 114.

In this case, the pneumatic adaptation cylinder 114a and the pneumatic activation cylinder 135a coincide.

This simplifies the embodiment solution.

A variant depicted in Figure 5a, 5b, 6, provides that the cutting device 100 comprises damping means 119 mechanically integral with the blade 111.

These allow the blade 111 to be positioned in contact with the film 550 without damaging the product 510.

Said damping means 119 prevent the robot 200, on which the cutting device 100 is mounted, from exerting its force on the pallet 500.

Thanks to the damping means 119 the force is dosed and reduced as a function of their adjustment as will be better explained below.

In particular, said damping means 119 can mechanically support not only the blade 111, but also the actuating means 112 and/or the protection element 130 and the corresponding activation means 135.

In Figure 4, the device 100 comprises a support frame 110 on which the blade 111, the actuating means 112, the protection element 130 and the corresponding activation means 135 or the adaptation elements 114 are installed.

Preferably said damping means 119 are mechanically connected to the support frame 110.

Preferably said damping means 119 comprise a pair of pneumatic damping cylinders 119a.

Preferably, a proportional valve is associated with said damping pneumatic cylinders 119a, which allows the force of the cylinder to be managed and allows the force with which the device 100 can push on the product 510 to be reduced.

In particular, said damping means 119 allow the cutting to be made even when the protection element 130 is in the out-of-space position B.

In fact, a preferred working cycle provides that in a first step the protection element 130 is in an out-of-space position B.

The blade 111 makes a cut to create an opening functional to the subsequent insertion of the protection element 130.

In said first step, the damping means 119 operate to prevent the blade 111 from cutting and pressing excessively on the product 510.

Once said opening has been made, the activation means 135 bring the protection element 130 into the working position A by inserting it below the film 550. This allows to retain said film 550 between the blade 111 and the protection element 130. At this point, the execution of the cuts 561t, 562t, 563t can start.

In particular, to facilitate the insertion of the protection element 130 between the film 550 and the product 510, bringing it into the working position A, the method may provide for distancing a portion of the film 550 from the surface of the pallet 500 before cutting.

Thanks to this solution, the initial cutting step is easier, which reduces the possibility of contact with the palletised product 510.

Indeed, as depicted in Figure 4, the cutting device 100 may comprise at least one release device 115.

According to a preferred aspect, said release device 115 comprises a suction head 116 configured to distance a portion of film 550 from the pallet 500 and assist in the insertion of the protection element 130.

Said suction head 116 can be installed on an adaptation device 117 preferably of the swivelling type adapted to allow to adapt the position of the suction head 116 to the conformation of the surface of the pallet 500.

Said adaptation device 117 can be of the pneumatic type, as depicted in Figure 4, or of the electrical, mechanical type, etc.

Thanks to this configuration, the suction head 116 is suitable for operating even on surfaces of an irregular type.

In a particular configuration depicted in Figure 4, the suction head 116 comprises one or more suction cups 116a adapted to distance the film 550 from the pallet 500 by means of vacuum.

This facilitates the insertion of the protection element 130 between the product 510 and the film 550.

A preferred embodiment provides that the cutting device 110 comprises a control element 150 which detects the presence of the film 550 resting on the first surface 131 of the protection element 130.

A preferred embodiment provides that the control element 150 is an energy sensor.

This type of sensor is particularly effective for detecting transparent film unlike traditional photocells; it also does not need to have any mirrors inserted that would be difficult to position.

In Figure 4 said control element 150 is placed in an advanced position with respect to the blade 111, according to the cutting direction.

To monitor the presence of the film 550 to be cut on the first surface 131, the control element 150 is read in the position preceding the blade 111.

In particular, said control element 150 is installed on the frame 110.

Thanks to this solution, it is possible to monitor, during the working cycle, that the protection element 130 is positioned between the film 550 and the product 510.

In fact, in the event that the control element 150 does not detect the film 550 on the first surface 131, this means that by continuing the cycle, cutting is not ensured.

In this case, the control unit managing the apparatus 1 can, for example, send a signal that causes the working cycle to stop.

The control unit may for example provide for the pallet 500 to be evacuated so that it is controlled by an operator.

According to one aspect of the invention, the cutting device 100, further comprises the pick-up means 120 configured to distance the protective film 550 from the pallet 500, picking each segment 550s.

According to one aspect of the invention, depicted in Figure 4, the pick-up means 120 comprise at least one grasping device 122.

Said grasping device 122 is configured to distance and/or retain the segment 550s from the pallet 500.

Said grasping head 122 may be installed on an adapter 123, preferably of the swivelling type adapted to allow to adapt the position of the grasping head 122 to the conformation of the surface of the pallet 500.

Said adapter 123 can be of the pneumatic type, or of the electrical, mechanical type, etc.

Thanks to this configuration, the grasping head 122 is suitable for operating even on surfaces of an irregular type.

In a particular configuration depicted in Figure 4, the grasping head 122 is configured to lift and retain the film 550 by means of vacuum and preferably comprises at least one suction element 122a.

The pick-up means 120 may further comprise at least one blocking device 125 adapted to securely retain a flap of the cut segment 550s that has previously been removed from the pallet 500 by the grasping device 122.

Said blocking device 125 is conformed so as to have a blocking capacity greater than the grasping device 122 so as to ensure the retention of the film 550 throughout the step of distancing from the pallet 500.

In fact, the suction elements 122a allow the segment 550s to be distanced but are not able to guarantee retention, if for example the film 550 is damaged or dirty.

Figure 4 depicts an example of a possible blocking device 125 comprising a tab 125a. Said tab 125a is preferably movable by means of movement means 125b between at least one operating position and one out of space. Said movement means 125b can be of the pneumatic type, as depicted in Figure 4, or of the electrical, mechanical type, etc.

A preferred embodiment provides that when the tab 125a is in the operating position, it is positioned below the grasping head 122. Thus, the flap of film 550 remains retained between the grasping head 122 and the tab 125a.

A preferred embodiment provides that in this case the release device 115 and the gripping device 121 coincide and perform both functions: - distancing the film 550 from the pallet 500 before cutting to facilitate the insertion of the protection element 130,

- distancing and retaining the segment 550s from the pallet 500 for its undressing.

The working method of the cutting device 100 is also an object of the invention.

Said method preferably provides for separating said protective film 550 by cutting said film 550.

In particular, this method envisages performing the following working steps:

- activating the release device 115 to distance the film 550 from the product 510,

- with the protection element 130 in the out-of-space position B, bringing the blade 111 into contact with the film 550 to perform an initial cut, adapted to create an opening of sufficient length to insert the protection element 130,

- Preferably by keeping the release device 115 active to distance the film 550 from the product 510, bringing the protection element 130 into the working position A and inserting it below the film 550 at the cut made,

-retaining the film 550 between the first surface 131 and the blade 111 with the protection element 130,

- moving the device 100 along the upper surface 501 and/or the side surface 502 of the pallet 500 and activating the cutting blade (111) and performing the base cut 561t and/or side cut 562t and/or upper cut 563t.

During the cutting cycle the rotatable element 134 of the protection element 130 contacts the product 510 and/or the film 550.

During the base cut 561t and/or side cut 562t and/or upper cut 563t and/or the passage from one to the other, the working cycle preferably provides for activating the heating of the rotatable element 134.

Said heating is provided at least at the edges 502b of the pallet 500.

The working cycle may also provide for detecting the presence of the film 550 resting on the first surface 131 of the protection element 130 during the execution of the cutting cycle and, in the event of failure to detect the film 550, it envisages providing a signal and/or preventing the film 550 from being picked up.

A possible cutting cycle may also provide that said activation means 135 are configured to make the protection element 130 assume more than two positions, for example 3 positions: an out- of-space position B before starting to cut the film 550, a working position A suitable for the horizontal cut and a working position A suitable for the vertical cut.

In this case, once the horizontal cut has been completed, the activation means 135 bring the protection element 130 into the second working position, i.e. suitable for the vertical cut. The passage from the first horizontal cutting position to the second vertical cutting position takes place gradually between the end of the horizontal cut and the start of the vertical cut, adapting according to the resistance the film 550 opposes and in such a way that the film 550 remains even in this step of passage between the blade 111' and the protection element 130.

Once the cutting step is finished, the cycle can continue with the intervention of the pick-up means 120 that distance the segments 550s from the pallet 500.

In particular, the pick-up means 120 distance a flap of the segment 550s from the pallet 500, by means of the gripping device 121 and block it by means of the blocking device 125.

It is understood however that what is described above has a value of non-limiting example, therefore, possible variants of detail that may be required for technical and/or functional reasons are considered from now as to fall within the same protective scope defined by the claims indicated below.

Claims

C LAI M S

1. A cutting device (100) for cutting the protective film (550) for undressing a pallet (500) of products (510) preferably arranged in layers on a base (520) or plate, said pallet (500) being coated with a protective film (550) for retaining and protecting the products (510) themselves, configured to cover the upper surface (501) and the side surface (502 of the pallet (500) at least up to the base (520), said cutting device (100) comprising a blade (111) and a protection element (130) configured to be interposed between the product (510) and the film (550) in order to retain said film (550) in proximity to the blade (111), said protection element (130) comprising a first surface (131) operatively facing the film (550) below which at least a portion of the blade (111) protrudes, characterised in that said protection element (130) further comprises a first end (133) preceding the blade (111) in the cutting direction, on which a rotatable element (134) arranged transversally to the cutting direction is installed.

2. Cutting device (100), according to claim 1, wherein the protection element (130) comprises a second surface (132) operatively facing the product (51) and opposing the first surface (131) adapted to define a thickness (S) less than or equal to the diameter of the rotatable element (134).

3. Cutting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable element (134) comprises at least one roller (134a) free to rotate about its axis of symmetry.

4. Cutting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable element (134) comprises an electrical heating element for heating said rotatable element (134).

5. Cutting device (100), according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the blade (111) does not protrude from the second surface (132).

6. Cutting device (100), according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protection element (130) comprises a planar portion 130a preferably comprising an opening (1304) passing through the thickness (S) of the protection element (130) into which the blade (111) is inserted, in particular at least a second portion (111").

7. Cutting device (100), according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising adaptation elements (114) adapted to support the protection element (130) to adapt its position to the conformation of the pallet (500).

8. Cutting device (100), according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blade (111) is of the circular type set in rotation by means of actuating means (112).

9. Cutting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising activation means (135) configured to move the protection element (130) relative to the blade (111) between at least one working position (A) in which the protection element (130) retains the film (550) between the first surface (131) and the blade (111) in particular during cutting and an out-of-space position (B) in which the protection element (130) does not engage with the film 550.

10. Cutting device (100), according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a control element (150) which detects the presence of the film (550) resting on the first surface (131) of the protection element (130).

11. Cutting device (100), according to claim 10, wherein the control element (150) is placed in an advanced position with respect to the blade (111), according to the cutting direction.

12. Cutting device (100), according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one release device (115) comprising a suction head (116) configured to distance a portion of film (550) from the pallet (500) and assist in the insertion of the protection element (130).

13. Cutting device (100), according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising pick-up means (120) which comprise at least one grasping head (122) configured to remove a portion of film (550) from the pallet (500) after cutting.